Death of a Toy Soldier: A Vintage Toy Shop Mystery - Softcover

Early, Barbara

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1683314999 ISBN 13: 9781683314998

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books, 2017

Synopsis

Liz McCall grew up in a playful winter wonderland but it was never her dream to manage her father's vintage toyshop. However, after he sank his entire police pension into the business, someone needed to help him turn his dreams into reality—and keep him from sneaking off to patrol the not-so-mean streets of East Aurora, NY.

The mood goes from nice to naughty when a nervous man, who was trying to have his antique toys appraised, is found in the shop with a lawn dart through his chest. Suddenly, Liz's business plan is plunged into deep freeze, while she and her father find themselves toying with a cold-blooded killer who's playing for keeps.

Now, it looks like Christmas might be cancelled for the neighborhood kids if Liz can't wrap up the case in Barbara Early's delightful debut Death of a Toy Soldier.

About this title

From the Inside Flap

Praise for Death of a Toy Soldier:
"Details about the antique and vintage toy business frame this cozy mystery, which is narrated by the charming Liz and offers a satisfying portrait of a close father-daughter relationship."
--Booklist

"This well-turned mystery...is filled with interesting characters, old-fashioned gaming lore, and a million puns."
--Kirkus Reviews

Liz McCall, the resourceful amateur sleuth at the heart of Death of a Toy Soldier, finds herself playing a deadly game of whodunit after a murder in her family’s vintage toy shop. This first-in-series from Barbara Early is an engaging romp sprinkled with humor, warmth, and romance. An absolutely delightful cozy mystery!”
--Julie Hyzy, New York Times bestselling author of the Manor House mysteries and the White House Chef mystery series

I was hooked on page one of Death of a Toy Soldier, the first book in Barbara Early’s delightful new Vintage Toyshop Mystery series, and the fun and suspense didn’t let up until the very last sentence. The cozy hometown setting and a lovable cast of characters add to the story’s charm and the fascinating world of vintage toys offers a unique backdrop for a smart and savvy protagonist to solve a complex mystery that will keep readers guessing late into the night.”
--Kate Carlisle, New York Times bestselling author of the Bibliophile Mysteries

"What's a gal to do when her retired police chief dad won't stop playing cop? Well, help him, of course! Add to the mix a vintage toy shop, a cast of memorable characters, a murder and a séance...well, it's hard to tell where the fun stops and the sleuthing begins. One thing's for sure, you'll be wanting to read more!"
--Erika Chase, aka Linda Wiken, national bestselling author of the Ashton Corners Book Club mysteries

A vintage toyshop set in a winter wonderland with friends we wish we had makes for a fun and heartfelt read beginning to end.”
--Duffy Brown, national bestselling author of the Consignment Shop mystery series

Praise for Barbara Early (writing as Beverly Allen):
"A great read...a page-turner of excitement that takes readers along for a thrilling ride."
--Suspense Magazine on For Whom the Bluebell Tolls

Allen’s upbeat series debut reads smoothly and easily with excellent dialog and an immensely likable cast. . . . The flower business really stars in this cozy.”
--Library Journal on Bloom and Doom

Provides readers with a fresh twist on the amateur-sleuth story.”
--Booklist on Bloom and Doom

Captivated my attention from the very first page...Beverly Allen writes wonderfully engaging characters in a lovely small-town setting...A thoroughly entertaining and engaging mystery! I can’t wait for the next one!”
--Jenn McKinlay, New York Times bestselling author of On Borrowed Time on Bloom and Doom

It’s an engaging bouquet of mayhem and murder. What a delight for cozy readers!”
--Erika Chase, national bestselling author of the Ashton Corners Book Club mysteries on Bloom and Doom|Liz McCall grew up in a playful winter wonderland, but it was never her dream to settle in her small, albeit charming, hometown. When her father sinks his entire police pension into a vintage toy shop, however, someone needs to help him turn his dreams into reality--and keep him from sneaking out of retirement and off to patrol the not-so-mean streets of East Aurora, NY. Fortunately, with Christmas right around the corner, business is on the upswing--not to mention the quantity of chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Yuletide carols, and mistletoe.

The mood goes from nice to naughty when a nervous man, who was trying to have his antique toys appraised, is later found murdered in the shop. Suddenly, Liz’s business plan has been run over by a reindeer while she and her father find themselves toying with a cold-blooded killer who's after more than a sleigh full of toys.

Now, it looks like Christmas might be cancelled if Liz can't wrap up the case in this fun and festive series debut.

From the Back Cover

Praise for Barbara Early (writing as Beverly Allen):

"A great read...a page-turner of excitement that takes readers along for a thrilling ride."
--Suspense Magazine on For Whom the Bluebell Tolls

Allen’s upbeat series debut reads smoothly and easily with excellent dialog and an immensely likable cast. . . . The flower business really stars in this cozy.”
--Library Journal on Bloom and Doom

Provides readers with a fresh twist on the amateur-sleuth story.”
--Booklist on Bloom and Doom

Captivated my attention from the very first page...Beverly Allen writes wonderfully engaging characters in a lovely small-town setting...A thoroughly entertaining and engaging mystery! I can’t wait for the next one!”
--Jenn McKinlay, New York Times bestselling author of On Borrowed Time onBloom and Doom

It’s an engaging bouquet of mayhem and murder. What a delight for cozy readers!”
--Erika Chase, national bestselling author of the Ashton Corners Book Club mysteries onBloom and Doom

Edition details

• Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1683314999
• ISBN 13: 9781683314998
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 320